One of the hardest lessons I ever learned was that I can't please everyone. I want to; I desire to be what everyone wants me to be. I want everyone to love me. The problem is, I simply can't do it. And until I understand that, I will never be effective.
—Steve Brown

A number of years ago, a pulpit committee representative from a large southern church took me to lunch and asked if I would consider becoming their pastor.

"Tell me about the church," I said, and after touching on a number of points, he squared with me: "Steve, our church has a serious problem because it is controlled by one man. He gives a lot of money and has probably been there longer than anyone else. Because of who he is, he pretty much gets his way. The last three pastors have left because of him. But we believe we have a majority and we can take him."

"You're not looking for a pastor," I commented. "You're looking for a drill sergeant."

"Well," he replied, "I wouldn't put it that way, but yes, that's probably it, and you're ...